Catalonia national football team

Catalonia
Nickname(s) La Selecció (The Selection),
La Segadora (The Reaper)
Association Catalan Football Federation
Confederation None
Head coach Gerard López
Captain Sergio García
Most caps Sergio González (15)
Top scorer Sergio García (8)
Home stadium Camp Nou
First colours
Second colours
First international
France France 7–0 Catalonia Catalonia
(Paris, France; February 21, 1912)
Biggest win
Catalonia Catalonia 5–0 Lithuania Lithuania
(Barcelona, Spain; 22 December 2000)
Catalonia Catalonia 5–0 Nigeria Nigeria
(Barcelona, Spain; 22 December 1998)
Biggest defeat
France France 7–0 Catalonia Catalonia
(Paris, France; February 21, 1912)
Spain Spain 7–0 Catalonia Catalonia
(Les Corts, Spain; March 13, 1924)

The Catalonia national football team is the official football team of the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia. It is organised by the Catalan Football Federation. The team has been referred to by various names including Selecció Catalana, Selecció de Barcelona and the Catalan XI.

Catalonia is not affiliated with either FIFA or UEFA and is therefore not allowed to participate in either the FIFA World Cup or the European Championship because the Spanish region of Catalonia is not a state. Catalan players are full Spanish citizens who are eligible to play for Spain.

However since 1904, the team has played nearly 200 games against various national, regional and club teams.[1] Since 1997 they have played international friendly games more regularly. Among the teams they have played are Nigeria, Brazil and Argentina. Recent friendly games include a 4–2 win over Argentina at Camp Nou in December 2009,[2] and a 4–0 win over Honduras in December 2010. Their most recent friendly game was played in Cornellà-El Prat against opponents Nigeria in January 2013. The game finished in a 1-1 draw and concluded Dutch great Johan Cruyff's stint as coach of the Catalonia national selection.

History

First games

Catalonia national football team made their debut in 1904. Initially they played against various club teams such as Club Espanyol, Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Irún Sporting Club. On February 2, 1912 they made their international friendly debut against France, losing 7–0 in Paris. The team was: Reñé, Irízar, Amecharruza, Alemany, Peris, Armet, Forns, Rodríguez, Comamala, Morales and Ramiro. On December 1, 1912 the two teams met again in Barcelona and this time the Catalans won 1–0. In 1914 the Catalan XI played the Basque Country XI for the first time, but there is no record of the result .[3] The first recorded game between the two teams took place on January 3, 1915 at San Mamés Stadium. The Catalan XI lost 6–1.[4]

Copa Príncep d'Astúries

Between 1915 and 1926 the Catalan XI competed in an inter-regional competition. They finished as runners-up in 1915 and won the Copa Príncep d'Astúries for the first time in 1916, beating a Castile XI 8–5 over two games. They then retained the trophy in 1917 after beating the Castile XI 2–0. During the 1920s a team featuring Josep Samitier, Paulino Alcántara, Sagibarba and Ricardo Zamora helped the Catalan XI win the competition in 1922, 1924 and 1926. The last competition in 1926 was a play-off between the two teams who had won the competition the most. The Catalans beat an Asturias XI 6–3 over two games.

As well as playing other regional teams from throughout Spain and Europe, the 1920s also saw the Catalan XI play several internationals friendly matches. On March 13, 1924 at the Les Corts, the Catalan XI played Spain for the first time. The Spain XI included Josep Samitier and Ricardo Zamora, two of the best Catalan players of the era while the Catalan XI featured Paulino Alcántara and Sagibarba. Samiter scored twice as the Spain XI won 7–0. On December 13, 1925 Samitier, Zamora, Alcántara and Sagibarba were on the same side as the Catalan XI beat Czechoslovakia at the Sarria. After conceding a penalty and going down 1–0, Sagibarba then equalised with another penalty before Samitier clinched a 2–1 win. On July 7, 1926 the Catalan XI played Czechoslovakia in Prague. Despite Samitier putting the Catalans 1–0 ahead, they eventually lost 2–1.

Catalonia vs Brazil

During the 1930s Catalonia continued playing friendly games against an array of teams. However 1934 was a particularly good year. On February 2 they played Spain and lost 2–0 at Les Corts. However four months later they played Brazil twice. On June 17 the Catalan XI beat Brazil 2–1 at Les Corts and then on June 24 they held them to a 2–2 draw at the Vista Alegre in Girona. The Brazil team had been in Europe to play in the official 1934 FIFA World Cup and included the legendary Leônidas in their team. The Catalan XI completed a good month when on June 29 they beat the reigning official La Liga champions, Athletic Bilbao 5–1.

The Franco era

After the Spanish Civil War, the dictator Franco imposed several restrictions on Catalonia, abolishing the Generalitat de Catalunya and banning the official use of the Catalan language and the Catalan flag. However the Catalan XI continued to play regularly during this period and even played Spain twice. On October 19, 1947 at the Sarrià, with a team featuring Velasco, Marià Gonzalvo, Joan Segarra and César, they beat Spain 3–1. However on August 9, 1953 Spain avenged this defeat with a 6–0 win.

During this era several notable FC Barcelona players, including the Spanish players like Laszlo Kubala, Luis Suárez, Evaristo and later, Jesús María Pereda, all guested for the Catalan XI. On January 26, 1955 in a friendly game against Bologna at Les Corts, Kubala was also joined by another guest player, Alfredo Di Stéfano. The Catalan XI won 6–2 with two goals from Kubala and one from Di Stéfano. On September 1, 1956 Di Stéfano returned to Les Corts with Real Madrid, recent winners of the first official European Cup, and played a Selecció de Barcelona. Real won the game 7–3.

The Catalan XI marked the end of the Franco era with a friendly game against the USSR at the Camp Nou on June 6, 1976. The team included Carles Rexach and guest Netherlands players Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens. The game finished 1–1 with Neeskens scoring for the Catalan XI. Cruyff's son, Jordi, would subsequently play regularly for the Catalan XI.

Democratic era

Catalonia vs Basque Country team playing in Camp Nou

Since the restoration of democracy in the 1970s, the Catalonia national team has regularly played international friendly matches. They subsequently put together a string of successful results against great economic countries like Bulgaria, Nigeria, Yugoslavia, Lithuania and Chile. On May 5, 2002 Catalonia hosted Brazil in a warm up friendly game before the official 2002 FIFA World Cup. Brazil, who went on to win the official competition, beat Catalonia 3–1. In 2004 Brazil returned for a second friendly game and this time won 5–2 in the Camp Nou, where some months later Argentina defeated Catalonia 3–0. The last friendly matches have been against Paraguay, Costa Rica, Basque Country, Argentina and Colombia.

Johan Cruyff's era

On 2 November 2009, it was announced that Dutch legend and former Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff will be the new coach of Catalonia.[5][5]

On 22 December 2009, they played a friendly against Argentina, which ended in a Catalonia win, 4–2 at Camp Nou.

On 28 December 2010, Catalonia played another friendly against Honduras winning 4–0 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.[6]

On 30 December 2011, Catalonia played Tunisia in a goalless draw at Lluís Companys Stadium.[7]

In their last game under Cruyff on 2 January 2013, Catalonia drew with Nigeria at the Cornellà-El Prat with 1–1.[8]

Post-Cruyff era

Former player Gerard López was appointed new coach for the Catalan team for 2 years. His first match with the team took place on 30 December 2013 against Cape Verde in the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.[9]

Match history

Date Venue Home Team Visitor Score
Dec. 28 2014 San Mamés, Bilbao Basque Country Catalonia Catalonia 1–1
Dec. 30 2013 Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia  Cape Verde 4–1
Jan. 2 2013 Cornellà-El Prat, Cornellà de Llobregat Catalonia Catalonia  Nigeria 1–1
Dec. 30 2011 Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Tunisia 0–0
Dec. 28 2010 Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Honduras 4–0
Dec. 22 2009 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Argentina 4–2
Dec. 28 2008 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Colombia 2–1
May 24, 2008 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Argentina 0–1
Dec. 29 2007 San Mamés, Bilbao  Basque Country Catalonia Catalonia1–1
Oct. 8 2006 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia  Basque Country 2–2
May 24, 2006Olímpic de Terrassa, Terrassa Catalonia Catalonia Costa Rica2–0
Dec. 28 2005Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia CataloniaParaguay Paraguay 1–1
Dec. 29 2004Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Argentina0–3
May 25, 2004Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil2–5
Dec. 28 2003Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Ecuador4–0
Dec. 28 2002Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia China PR2–0
May 18, 2002Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil1–3
Dec. 28 2001Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Chile1–0
Dec. 22 2000Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Lithuania5–0
Dec. 23 1999Olímpic Lluís Companys, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Yugoslavia1–0
Dec. 22 1998Olímpic Lluís Companys, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Nigeria5–0
Dec. 23 1997Olímpic Lluís Companys, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Bulgaria1–1
June 6, 1976Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Soviet Union1–1
Feb. 21 1971San Mamés, Bilbao Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia1–2
Aug. 9 1953 Galileu, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain0–6
Oct. 19 1947 Sarrià, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain3–1
June 24, 1934Vista Alegre, GironaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil2–2
June 17, 1934Les Corts, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil2–1
Feb. 2 1934Les Corts, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain 0–2
Jan. 1 1931San Mamés, Bilbao Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia3–2
June 8, 1930Montjuïc, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Basque Country0–1
July 7, 1926Sparta, Prague CzechoslovakiaCatalonia Catalonia2–1
Dec. 13 1925Sarrià, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Czechoslovakia2–1
Mar. 13 1924Les Corts, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain0–7
Apr. 4 1921 Camp de la Indústria, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Provence 1–0
Apr. 3 1921 Camp de la Indústria, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Provence 4–0
June 4, 1916San Mamés, Bilbao Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia5–0
May 22, 1916Camp de la Indústria, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Basque Country0–0
May 21, 1916Camp de la Indústria, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Basque Country1–3
May 13, 1915Athletic, Madrid Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia1–0
Feb. 7 1915Camp de la Indústria, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Basque Country2–2
Jan. 3 1915San Mamés, Bilbao  Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia6–1
Dec. 1 1912Camp de la Indústria, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia France1–0
Feb. 20 1912Colombes, Paris FranceCatalonia Catalonia7–0

Results and fixtures

Current squad

The following players were called up for the match against Basque Country on 28 December 2014.

# Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Jordi Masip 3 January 1989 1 0 Spain Barcelona
13 GK Kiko Casilla 2 January 1986 5 0 Spain Espanyol
2 DF Martín Montoya 14 April 1991 4 0 Spain Barcelona
3 DF Gerard Piqué 2 February 1987 8 0 Spain Barcelona
14 DF Alberto de la Bella 2 December 1985 2 0 Spain Real Sociedad
15 DF Marc Bartra 15 January 1991 4 0 Spain Barcelona
16 DF Víctor Álvarez 14 March 1993 2 0 Spain Espanyol
18 DF Jordi Alba 21 March 1989 4 0 Spain Barcelona
21 DF Sergi Gómez 28 March 1992 1 0 Spain Celta
22 DF Andreu Fontàs 14 November 1989 3 0 Spain Celta
4 MF Víctor Sánchez 8 September 1987 3 0 Spain Espanyol
5 MF Sergio Busquets 16 July 1988 7 0 Spain Barcelona
6 MF Xavi 25 January 1980 11 2 Spain Barcelona
8 MF Aleix Vidal 21 August 1989 2 0 Spain Sevilla
12 MF Sergi Samper 20 January 1995 1 0 Spain Barcelona
20 MF Sergi Roberto 21 August 1992 4 0 Spain Barcelona
7 FW Álvaro Vázquez 27 April 1991 4 0 Spain Getafe
9 FW Sergio García 9 June 1983 12 8 Spain Espanyol
10 FW Piti 26 May 1981 5 1 Spain Granada
11 FW Jonathan Soriano 24 November 1985 5 1 Austria Red Bull Salzburg
17 FW Gerard Deulofeu 13 March 1994 1 0 Spain Sevilla
19 FW Gerard Moreno 7 April 1992 1 0 Spain Villarreal

Recent callups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last two years.

# Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
GK Víctor Valdés 14 January 1982 12 0 England Manchester United
GK Jordi Codina 27 April 1982 4 0 Spain Getafe
DF Joan Capdevila 3 February 1978 10 0 Belgium Lierse
DF Jordi Amat 21 March 1992 2 0 Wales Swansea City
DF Raúl Rodríguez 22 September 1987 1 0 United States Houston Dynamo
DF Marc Muniesa 27 March 1992 1 0 England Stoke City
DF Dídac Vilà 9 June 1989 1 0 Spain Eibar
DF Sergio Juste 12 January 1992 1 0 Spain Barcelona
DF Marc Valiente 20 March 1987 1 0 Spain Valladolid
MF Joan Verdú 5 May 1983 9 2 United Arab Emirates Baniyas
MF Cesc Fàbregas 4 May 1987 3 0 England Chelsea
MF Sergio Tejera 28 May 1990 1 0 Spain Alavés
MF Jordi Xumetra 24 October 1985 1 0 Spain Levante
MF David López 9 October 1989 1 0 Italy Napoli
MF Oriol Rosell 7 July 1992 1 0 Portugal Sporting CP
FW Ferran Corominas 5 January 1983 8 1 Spain Elche
FW Bojan Krkić 20 August 1990 7 6 England Stoke City
FW Cristian Tello 11 August 1991 2 0 Portugal Porto
FW Isaac Cuenca 27 April 1991 1 0 Spain Deportivo
FW Oriol Riera 3 July 1986 1 1 Spain Deportivo

Notable players

Catalan-born players

Guest players

Because Catalonia is not a member of either UEFA or FIFA due to it being a region of Spain, obvious eligibility rules based on birthplace do not apply. As a result of unofficial friendly team, a number of players who were not born in Catalonia have guested for the Catalan XI. With the notable exception of Alfredo Di Stéfano, most were playing for FC Barcelona at the time. Notice that some players, as Andrés Iniesta or Jordi Cruyff had lived most of their lives (and childhood) in Catalonia. Some others, as Sagibarba or Paulino Alcántara had Catalan ancestors (for example: Alcántara was the son of a Catalan military officer in the Spanish Philippines and moved to Barcelona after the Spanish–American War as a child).

Selected coaches

Honours

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ esportcatala.com
  2. ↑ "4–2: Catalunya suma un triunfo de prestigio frente a Argentina" (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 22 December 2009.
  3. ↑ fcbarcelona.com
  4. ↑ "Vasconia-Cataluña" (PDF). Mundo Deportivo, 4/1/1915. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Cruyff will coach Catalonia team". BBC News. 2 November 2009.
  6. ↑ "Catalonia defeats Honduras". La Prensa.hn (Honduran national newspaper). 29/12/2010.
  7. ↑ "Catalonia draws with Tunisia". El Periódico de Catalunya (Catalionian newspaper) 31/12/2011.
  8. ↑ "Catalunya empata con Nigeria en la despedida de Cruyff.". ElPeriodico.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "Catalunya jugará contra Cabo Verde el 30 de diciembre". Lavanguardia.com. 15 November 2013.

External links